Jay Clayton

Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 09.27.17

* Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Roy Moore has won the Republican primary runoff election for the Senate seat that was once occupied by AG Jeff Sessions. Perhaps we can look forward to history repeating itself and Moore being twice suspended if he wins the special election. [New York Times] * Senate Republicans don't have the votes for the Graham-Cassidy effort to repeal Obamacare to pass, but not to worry, because they'll be back at it again soon via the 2019 budget reconciliation process, and next time, they're going to be transparent, hold committee hearings, and even consult Democrats. [CNN] * The Trump administration's Department of Homeland Security has refused to waive Jones Act shipping restrictions that are preventing Puerto Rico from getting the gasoline and supplies that are so desperately needed for the island's recovery efforts following Hurricane Maria. Senator John McCain is pissed, and says it's time to repeal the "archaic and burdensome" Act. [Reuters] * Freedom hangs in the balance for Making a Murderer's Brendan Dassey, whose case was heard before the full Seventh Circuit yesterday. According to court watchers, the judges seemed split, and we can't help but to wonder what Judge Richard Posner would have thought. [Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel] * Irell & Manella's Andrei Iancu, President Trump's pick to lead the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, is awaiting confirmation. There's no better way to bide our time while we wait than to discuss the fact that he'd been pulling down a $4 million paycheck at the firm. We'll have more on this later. [Am Law Daily] * "How can you expect companies to do the right thing when you[r] agency has not?" U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Jay Clayton is taking heat over the fact that his agency was hacked in 2016, but nothing was mentioned about it until last week. He's set a great example. [Big Law Business] * According to a recent study, no matter what women do, in most cases, they'll continue to earn less than men. The ban on asking employees about their salary history is doing nothing for women; in fact, they're being penalized for refusing to disclose their salaries, while men are being rewarded. [The Careerist]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 05.17.17

* "I hope you can let this go." Former FBI director James Comey was writing memos detailing his conversations with Donald Trump to document what he believed were the president's improper attempts to influence the Michael Flynn investigation. Comey, a damn good lawyer, likely knew that an FBI agent's notes are admissible in court as credible evidence. [New York Times] * The Securities and Exchange Commission just got a Biglaw-style facelift: SEC Chairman Jay Clayton, formerly of Sullivan & Cromwell, has asked Willkie Farr partner Robert Stebbins to serve as his general counsel and SullCrom associate Sean Memon to serve as his deputy chief of staff. [Big Law Business] * Rolling your eyes and calling a federal judge's ruling on an objection "f*cking bullsh*t" will certainly do you absolutely no favors in Judge Amy St. Eve's courtroom. In fact, it just might get you suspended from practice for three months and barred from being a lead trial attorney for a year. [Chicago Tribune] * "I'm an attorney in a capital case!" In videos introduced into evidence during Dylann Roof's mental competency hearings, the convicted killer said his attorneys were "evil," "the spawn of hell," and "liars," and only wanted to keep them while representing himself "so I can abuse them." [Post and Courier] * Drake Law School has entered into an agreement with three historically black colleges and universities to increase its diversity. Entering students will be guaranteed a scholarship to cover at least half of their tuition. Drake's first-time bar pass rate in Iowa was 82 percent in July 2016. [Iowa Public Radio]

By Staci Zaretsky
Morning Docket

Morning Docket: 03.09.17

* S&C may be Trump's second favorite law firm, but don't count your chickens on SEC nominee Jay Clayton yet -- the Office of Government and Ethics has flagged some potential conflicts of interest. [Law360] * Law schools often discriminate against women by undercompensating positions that skew female. Sure this is important, but is it as egregious an act of discrimination as not valuing originalist scholarship? [Law.com] * Three firms admit to overbilling for temp and staff attorneys. [Am Law Daily] * Ninth Circuit says Dodd-Frank provides broad whistleblower protection, which sets up an intriguing circuit split for the roughly three weeks Dodd-Frank remains a law. [National Law Journal] * Key cybertrends of 2017. [Legaltech News] * Fried Frank has its best year ever while the rest of you experienced 2016 as a runaway train of sadness. [Am Law Daily] * Robot lawyer assisting refugees, making it official that even cyborgs have more of a heart than some politicians. [BBC News]

By Joe Patrice